THE CREDIT crunch has turned Wilmslow’s charity shops into one of the North West’s major tourist attractions as outlets break takings records.

As the business world sinks further into recession, and the housing market falls deeper into crisis bargain hunters from around the region are putting the town’s renowned charity shops on the big spenders’ map.

Visitors are coming from Liverpool, Yorkshire and as far afield as Cornwall to rifle through the cast offs of wags, footballers and the nouveau riche.

Last week Cancer Research UK took record takings, Oxfam had "exceptional" sales and Help the Aged did the best in a patch which includes Hale and Altrincham.

Sandra Daniels, manager of Cancer Research UK, on Water Lane said: "People are journeying from all over just to come to the shop. We get a lot from Liverpool, one man comes from Yorkshire and a couple come from Cornwall. There was even a neighbour of mine from Northwich the other day."

Oxfam had a "good" week and an "exceptionally good" Saturday over the last seven days. A volunteer said: "People tend to come in from out of town, we had someone the other day from Oldham. I imagine the credit crunch is the cause."

The British Heart Foundation had a "much better week than last year" and Help the Aged were top of the percentages for their patch which takes in Stoke, Crewe, Altrincham and Hale.

Help the Aged field manager Margaret Gwyther said: "Wilmslow did the best of all the stores in our area and that includes Hale which always does very well."

Scope on Church Street also had a "good" week, according to assistant manager Liz Marsden: "There has been quite a few more customers out and about in the village."

The Wilmslow Business Group thinks any new trade is good news for the town.

Chairman Dave Bolton said: "We are really excited by anything that brings people into Wilmslow. The charity shops in the town have a high standard of clobber and if you are looking to save a few pennies it is a good place to go."

A spokesman for Macclesfield Borough Council said: "It’s not unheard of for charity shops to become known as the Harrods of the North and there are sometimes unexpected spin-offs from the ‘credit crunch’. It’s encouraging that charity shops in Wilmslow are doing well, helping themselves with attractive window displays, and we’d hope that people continue to support them."